Today is my agent’s birthday. Jenny’s over at her blog celebrating spring. Drop on by and wish her well. 
I edited eleven pages last night, but I haven’t managed to get any work done today…yet. Instead, I went out and got my hair done, then ran to the grocery store. Priorities you know. After I finished with that, I went for a short walk to test the toe/newly healed broken foot. I’m happy to say, it’s still attached. *g*
I’ve been thinking about a question that someone asked me, during a talk I gave for a local RWA chapter last week. The question was: What do you think is the number one mistake that new writers make with their books? I thought the question was so good that it was worth repeating.
My answer was: They start their manuscripts in the wrong place. What do I mean by that? I mean that most new writers (me included) start their books too far from the end.
The rule of thumb in writing is: Start your story as close to the end as you can possibly get. This starting point varies from book to book. The story still has to make sense, but it’s amazing how much can be cut from the start without losing ‘anything’ important. Consider the above my writing tip for the day. If you want another tip, check out Shiloh’s blog from yesterday.
March 20th, 2007
Wonderful advice Jordan - thank you.
by Bailey Stewart March 20th, 2007 at 7:25 pmExcellent point! I never thought of that. Thanks!
by Tempest Knight March 20th, 2007 at 8:40 pmGreat tip–even for not-so-new writers.
by raine March 20th, 2007 at 10:20 pmGood Question…and answer!! Oh, and I got my hair done today too! *grin* A pick me up was needed.
by Sasha March 20th, 2007 at 10:28 pmWaaait a minute–how’d I miss a broken foot?? Are you OK? I hope it’s healed well.
And great tip–start as close to the end as possible. I’ve never heard it put that way before, but it makes perfect sense.
by Catherine Morris March 21st, 2007 at 7:45 amI missed the broken foot, too. Hope it’s healing well.
Dianne Castell can give some great writing advice. She does wonderful workshops. She said at one…
Start where the trouble starts.
Excellent advice. I don’t need to know about how wonderfully the heroine’s life was, or wasn’t, for five years prior to meeting the hero.
by Shiloh Walker March 21st, 2007 at 8:40 amGlad your foot is healing, Jordan. I’ve been getting rejections for a long time, so agents and publishers have given me varying feedback, when at all.
At one time, a couple decades ago, I’d get the how did we get here comment over the first thirty pages. The answer of course would be revealed during the story, which they didn’t have or want. Now, if you have a story start with even a page of background starting out, you might as well write your own rejection letter. 
The next ten years ought to be real interesting, if the editing doesn’t finally kill me off. 
by BernardL March 21st, 2007 at 11:47 amHooray for the successful test walk! Good advice, both from you and Shiloh.
by Charli March 21st, 2007 at 11:56 amThanks Bailey, Tempest, and Raine. I’m glad you liked it. I’ve found that bit of advice invaluable.
by Jordan March 21st, 2007 at 2:39 pmSasha, Yep, nothing like having your hair done to cheer you up.
by Jordan March 21st, 2007 at 2:39 pmCatherine, Yes, I’m okay. I actually broke my foot two days before we ‘left’ Tokyo. Doh!!! I’m a dork. What can I say? *ggg*
by Jordan March 21st, 2007 at 2:41 pmShiloh, It’s still a little tender. I think it’s going to take a bit longer than the doctor estimated. Shocker. *g* Diane’s advice is good, too. I’ve never had the pleasure of attending one of her talks. Maybe I’ll catch her sometime in the future.
by Jordan March 21st, 2007 at 2:42 pmBernard, Thank you! LOL on the backstory. Sounds like you might want to try starting as close to the end as possible.
by Jordan March 21st, 2007 at 2:44 pmCharli, Yep, I was very happy the walk worked. I’ve been bummed that I couldn’t get out there.
by Jordan March 21st, 2007 at 2:44 pm‘Sounds like you might want to try starting as close to the end as possible.’
by BernardL March 21st, 2007 at 4:41 pmLOL! I’ll make a note.
Bernard, *ggg*
by Jordan March 21st, 2007 at 5:00 pm